EarWax

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 88: Willie Nelson - Shotgun Willie Apr 10, 2025

Show notes

Whiskey River take our minds right into one of the most consequential country records ever made!

Cody and Hilary dig into "Shotgun Willie," the album that Willie considered as him "clearing his throat." With the man and the legend already firmly established with a handful of country standards under his belt, here the myth began.

Nashville didn't understand him, so Willie headed to Austin to hang out with the weirdos and the hippies. There he found his place, got cozy, and proceeded to spearhead a movement that would rewrite the book about what country music is.

Willie Nelson is an American legend, and "Shotgun Willie" is where we get our first glimpse of him fully in his comfort zone.

Thanks for listening! Check out everything we have going on via the info below:

Instagram: @earwaxpod
TikTok: @earwaxpod
Amoeba on Instagram:
Questions, Suggestions, Corrections (surely we're perfect): earwaxpodcast@amoeba-music.com

Credits:
Edited by Claudia Rivera-Tinsley
All transition music written and performed by Spencer Belden
"EarWax Main Theme" performed by Spencer Belden feat. David Otis

Ep. 87: Black Sabbath - Master of Reality Apr 03, 2025

Show notes

*cough cough cough cough* Bow down to the Lords of Darkness and the Gods of Heavy Metal - Black Sabbath!

Cody and Hilary try and fail to approach Sabbath's "Master of Reality" with some semblance of restrain, but what are we really talking about? This record crushes from front to back.

From the opening riff to the finality of Into the Void, Black Sabbath's third record set the template for stoner metal, doom metal, sludge metal, (insert adjective) metal.

They are gods. They are Black Sabbath.

Thanks for listening! Check out everything we have going on via the info below:

Instagram: @earwaxpod
TikTok: @earwaxpod
Amoeba on Instagram:
Questions, Suggestions, Corrections (surely we're perfect): earwaxpodcast@amoeba-music.com

Credits:
Edited by Claudia Rivera-Tinsley
All transition music written and performed by Spencer Belden
"EarWax Main Theme" performed by Spencer Belden feat. David Otis

Ep. 86: Garbage - Garbage Mar 27, 2025

Show notes

We're only happy when...we're covering a kick ass band and record like Garbage's self-titled!

Hilary and Cody discuss the fascinating chemistry that was initially pitched (derisively) as "three producers and a girl." Hey, maybe that is true, but man does that combo rock. Granted, it helps when that girl is Shirley f'n Manson.

Garbage crafted, or uncrafted, pop music. Deconstructed hooks pieced together to create a brilliant noise.

Oh, and their first live show has a connection to Gwar...

Thanks for listening! Check out everything we have going on via the info below:

Instagram: @earwaxpod
TikTok: @earwaxpod
Amoeba on Instagram:
Questions, Suggestions, Corrections (surely we're perfect): earwaxpodcast@amoeba-music.com

Credits:
Edited by Claudia Rivera-Tinsley
All transition music written and performed by Spencer Belden
"EarWax Main Theme" performed by Spencer Belden feat. David Otis

Ep. 85: Mariah Carey - The Emancipation of Mimi Mar 20, 2025

Show notes

Bow at the feet of the Queen of the Divas - Mariah Carey!

Cody and Hilary discuss "The Emancipation of Mimi," an album that was made after Mariah had taken a few personal and professional body blows.

Being the champ she is, she took it all in, and spat it back in her critics' faces with a record that is equal parts vocal gymnastics lesson and absolute party.

"The Emancipation of Mimi" is Mariah Carey shrugging off all the baggage, and deciding it's time to have fun while letting the haters know that she isn't going anywhere.

Thanks for listening! Check out everything we have going on via the info below:

Instagram: @earwaxpod
TikTok: @earwaxpod
Amoeba on Instagram:
Questions, Suggestions, Corrections (surely we're perfect): earwaxpodcast@amoeba-music.com

Credits:
Edited by Claudia Rivera-Tinsley
All transition music written and performed by Spencer Belden
"EarWax Main Theme" performed by Spencer Belden feat. David Otis

Ep. 84: BLACKPINK - The Album Mar 13, 2025

Show notes

Look at you, now look at us. How you like that? EarWax is going K-pop this week, and I don't know if we'll ever go back. Hilary and Cody cover BLACKPINK's appropriately-named "The Album."

The system that has produced some of the biggest music in the world - the South Korean idol system - is a fascinating study in manufacturing celebrity. At its apex sit four women who have conquered the world, and this record was their international announcement that the top of the pops runs through South Korea.

Twenty-four lean minutes of non-stop bangers, "The Album" is a party record released at a time when everything else looked awfully bleak. BLACKPINK made sure that we had something to dance to, and we have not stopped since.

Thanks for listening! Check out everything we have going on via the info below:

Instagram: @earwaxpod
TikTok: @earwaxpod
Amoeba on Instagram:
Questions, Suggestions, Corrections (surely we're perfect): earwaxpodcast@amoeba-music.com

Credits:
Edited by Claudia Rivera-Tinsley
All transition music written and performed by Spencer Belden
"EarWax Main Theme" performed by Spencer Belden feat. David Otis

Ep. 83: Blondie - Parallel Lines Mar 06, 2025

Show notes

"Blondie is a Group" was a pin campaign put together by Blondie's manager as a way to cover his own screwup by picking the iconic photo for this week's album - "Parallel Lines." (PS: It didn't work and he was fired shortly after. Oops.)

We all know Blondie is a group, and we also know the core of Chris Stein and Debbie Harry have given us some absolute bangers. After two records, the label wondered how they could put this group of meddling kids (loosely defined) on the top of the charts.

Their solution was producer Mike Chapman. Does he come across as a bit of a jerk? Yes, resoundingly. Did the band turn in their most critically and commercially successful album to date under his production? Also, yes, resoundingly.

With classics such as "One Way or Another" and "Heart of Glass," it would be hard for the label to go wrong picking a single...Find out how they did just that, and a ton more about "Parallel Lines," on this week's episode of EarWax!

Thanks for listening! Check out everything we have going on via the info below:

Instagram: @earwaxpod
TikTok: @earwaxpod
Amoeba on Instagram:
Questions, Suggestions, Corrections (surely we're perfect): earwaxpodcast@amoeba-music.com

Credits:
Edited by Claudia Rivera-Tinsley
All transition music written and performed by Spencer Belden
"EarWax Main Theme" performed by Spencer Belden feat. David Otis

Ep. 82: Tracy Chapman - Tracy Chapman Feb 27, 2025

Show notes

The greats seize the moment, and Tracy Chapman did exactly that right after the release of her self-titled album, and the subject of this week's episode!

Cody and Hilary discuss Tracy Chapman's journey to reluctant stardom. Never seeking anything more than to have her songs heard, this debut reflects the quiet confidence that draws so many to her work.

"Fast Car" is legendary, "Talkin' Bout a Revolution" was a theme song for a literal revolution, and "Behind the Wall" is a devastating, gorgeous piece.

When Wembley Stadium called, Tracy Chapman was ready for the moment. No frills, just music, and a message.

Thanks for listening! Check out everything we have going on via the info below:

Instagram: @earwaxpod
TikTok: @earwaxpod
Amoeba on Instagram:
Questions, Suggestions, Corrections (surely we're perfect): earwaxpodcast@amoeba-music.com

Credits:
Edited by Claudia Rivera-Tinsley
All transition music written and performed by Spencer Belden
"EarWax Main Theme" performed by Spencer Belden feat. David Otis

Ep. 81: William Onyeabor - Who Is William Onyeabor? Feb 20, 2025

Show notes

Mysteries abound this week on EarWax! Never has "the man, the myth, the legend" rang truer than when we dive into "Who Is William Onyeabor?"

A bizarre mix of funk, soul, and porto-techno, this record is a collection of songs pulled from Onyeabor's brief but prolific discography. His life and career remain largely enigmatic, due in no small part to his own efforts.

We ask "why" and "how," because we want so badly to understand the context for which such forward-thinking music sprang. Ultimately, "Who Is William Onyeabor?" provides very little answers to those questions, but it serves a greater purpose - it grooves.

Thanks for listening! Check out everything we have going on via the info below:

Instagram: @earwaxpod
TikTok: @earwaxpod
Amoeba on Instagram:
Questions, Suggestions, Corrections (surely we're perfect): earwaxpodcast@amoeba-music.com

Credits:
Edited by Claudia Rivera-Tinsley
All transition music written and performed by Spencer Belden
"EarWax Main Theme" performed by Spencer Belden feat. David Otis

Ep. 80: Digital Underground - Sex Packets Feb 13, 2025

Show notes

Peace, and humptiness forever! A mantra we should all do well to abide by. How about a little lumpy oatmeal and sort-of concept album this week?

Digital Underground is just one of those groups that are okay being a little weird, a lot goofy, and very (oh so very) phonky. Shock G and dudes like Schmoovy Schmoov, Chopmaster J, and Money B all brought Parliament into hip-hop.

Sex Packets is hyper horny, major vibes, and only kind of actually about sex packets, which may or may not be real. Ask NASA, but maybe NASA lies?!

Check out the episode to hear Cody and Hilary break down this classic!

Thanks for listening! Check out everything we have going on via the info below:

Instagram: @earwaxpod
TikTok: @earwaxpod
Amoeba on Instagram:
Questions, Suggestions, Corrections (surely we're perfect): earwaxpodcast@amoeba-music.com

Credits:
Edited by Claudia Rivera-Tinsley
All transition music written and performed by Spencer Belden
"EarWax Main Theme" performed by Spencer Belden feat. David Otis

Ep. 79: Billie Holiday - Lady in Satin Feb 06, 2025

Show notes

We all stand on the shoulders of giants, the ghosts of those that came before. But some shoulders carry more weight than others. Billie Holiday is a foundation upon which decades and generations of music has been built.

Hilary and Cody discuss Lady Day's penultimate album "Lady in Satin." In many ways, it feels like this record is a metaphorical retelling of her own life. Struggle, hardship, perseverance, and victory, all blended up and poured out through that voice. She sounds different than we're used to, but unmistakably Billie Holiday.

On "Lady in Satin," you can feel Lady Day rise to the occasion once more to give us this testament to determination and sheer talent.

Thanks for listening! Check out everything we have going on via the info below:

Instagram: @earwaxpod
TikTok: @earwaxpod
Amoeba on Instagram:
Questions, Suggestions, Corrections (surely we're perfect): earwaxpodcast@amoeba-music.com

Credits:
Edited by Claudia Rivera-Tinsley
All transition music written and performed by Spencer Belden
"EarWax Main Theme" performed by Spencer Belden feat. David Otis

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected